Magnetically enhanced electrical signal conduction apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for magnetically enhanced electrical signal conduction are disclosed. An embodiment electrical connector comprises a connector body, a first active signal contact mechanically attached to and at least partially disposed within the connector body, a ground contact mechanically attached to the connector body, an insulator mechanically separating and electrically isolating the first active signal contact and the ground contact, and a first permanent magnet electrically connected to the first active signal contact. An embodiment electrical cable comprises an elongated insulating sheath, a first active signal electrical conductor disposed within the sheath, a first connector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath, a first active signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the first active signal electrical conductor, and a first permanent magnet electrically connected to the first active signal electrical conductor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods forelectrical signal conduction, and more particularly to apparatus andmethods for magnetically enhanced electrical signal conduction.

BACKGROUND

Generally, there currently exists a large variety of cables andconnectors for signal conduction. The signals transmitted via cables andconnectors generally may be data signals or power signals. For example,in an audio-video system, power cables and connectors provide power froma power source (e.g., 110/120 volts alternating current (VAC), 220/240VAC) to the various components of the system. Data cables transfer datasignals between components of the system, such as from analog or digitalcontent-source components (e.g., optical disk players, satellite, cableor fiber boxes, media servers, digital video recorders, computers,cassette tape players) to an amplifier (e.g., pre-amplifier/poweramplifier, integrated amplifier, receiver). The amplifier processes theinput data signals (e.g., source switching, surround sound decoding, andamplification). Other data cables transfer outputs from the amplifier todevices that directly interact with a user (e.g., loudspeakers,headphones, televisions, monitors). In some systems, variouscombinations of these components may be integrated into a single unit.For example, a television may contain amplifier components so that asource device may connect directly to the television.

Essentially since the beginning of signal transmission, there has been acontinuous effort in the art to improve the quality of data and powersignals transmitted between devices, such as through cables and theirconnectors, as well as between components within devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Deficiencies in the prior art are generally solved or circumvented, andtechnical advantages are generally achieved, by preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, which utilize magnets to improve the quality ofelectrical signal transmission.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an electricalconnector comprises a connector body, a first active signal contactmechanically attached to and at least partially disposed within theconnector body, a ground contact mechanically attached to the connectorbody, an insulator mechanically separating and electrically isolatingthe first active signal contact and the ground contact, and a firstpermanent magnet electrically connected to the first active signalcontact.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, anelectrical cable comprises an elongated insulating sheath, a firstactive signal electrical conductor disposed within the sheath, a firstconnector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath, afirst active signal contact mechanically attached to the first connectorbody, and electrically connected to the first active signal electricalconductor, and a first permanent magnet electrically connected in serieswith the first active signal electrical conductor.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof forming an electrical connector comprises attaching a first activesignal contact to a connector body, attaching a ground contact to theconnector body, electrically insulating the first active signal contactfrom the ground contact, and electrically connecting a first permanentmagnet to the first active signal contact.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof forming an electrical cable comprises disposing a first active signalelectrical conductor in an elongated insulating sheath, attaching afirst active signal contact to a first connector body, attaching thefirst connector body to a first end of the sheath, electricallyconnecting the first active signal contact to the first active signalelectrical conductor, attaching a second active signal contact to asecond connector body, attaching the second connector body to a secondend of the sheath, electrically connecting the second active signalcontact to the first active signal electrical conductor, andelectrically connecting a first permanent magnet in series with thefirst active signal electrical conductor.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, anelectrical device comprises a device body, an active or passiveelectrical component mechanically supported by the device body, a firstactive signal conductor electrically connected to the electricalcomponent, and mechanically attached to and at least partially disposedexternal to the device body, a second conductor electrically connectedto the electrical component, and mechanically attached to and at leastpartially disposed external to the device body, and a first permanentmagnet electrically connected to the first active signal conductor.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, anelectrical power transmission line comprises a first-phase conductorwire comprising a non-permanent-magnet ferromagnetic material, asecond-phase conductor wire comprising the non-permanent-magnetferromagnetic material, a third-phase conductor wire comprising thenon-permanent-magnet ferromagnetic material, a first permanent magnetdisposed inline with the first-phase conductor wire, a second permanentmagnet disposed inline with the first-phase conductor wire, and a thirdpermanent magnet disposed inline with the first-phase conductor wire.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, aprinted circuit board comprises a dielectric substrate, conductivesignal traces disposed on the substrate, wherein one of the tracescomprises a non-permanent-magnet ferromagnetic material, and a permanentmagnet disposed on the substrate and coupled to the one of the tracescomprising the non-permanent-magnet ferromagnetic material.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying outthe same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realizedby those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a connector having a permanent magnet activesignal pin;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a connector having a permanent magnet activesignal socket;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an audio-video system having cables withpermanent magnets;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a cable with permanent magnets;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a connector having a permanent magnet utilized aspart of the active signal pin;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of magnetic field orientations for varioussignal flow configurations;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a power connector utilizing permanent magnets;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a connector having a permanent magnet attached tothe active signal pin;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a transistor having permanent magnets attached tothe signal leads;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a disassembled permanent magnet and itsconductive sleeve;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a partially assembled permanent magnet and itsconductive sleeve;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a cable having a ferromagnetic conductorattached to a connector with a permanent magnet active signal pin;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a connector having a permanent magnet stackattached to the active signal pin;

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a permanent magnet stack and a partialconductive sleeve;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a cable comprising a permanent magnet stackdisposed in the active signal path;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of an interconnect cable having a permanent magnetstack disposed in the active signal path;

FIG. 17 a is a schematic diagram of a cable comprising a permanentmagnet stack;

FIG. 17 b is a block diagram of an audio-video system having stackedmagnet cables;

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a transistor having stacked magnets attached tothe signal leads;

FIG. 19 is a diagram of a circuit board having a permanent magnet stackin an active signal path;

FIG. 20 is a diagram of a circuit board having a permanent magnet stackas one of the signal paths on the board;

FIG. 21 is a diagram of a power cable having a permanent magnet stackdisposed in the active signal path;

FIG. 22 is a diagram of a permanent magnet stack in a power signal pathof an alternating circuit (AC) circuit;

FIG. 23 is a diagram of sheaths or Faraday cages for permanent magnetstacks used in power signal circuit paths;

FIG. 24 a is a diagram of a binding post screw;

FIG. 24 b is a diagram of a binding post receptacle;

FIGS. 25 a and 25 b are diagrams of a binding post screw cross-section;

FIGS. 26 a and 26 b are diagrams of connectors utilizing magnets forelectrical and physical connection;

FIG. 27 is a diagram of an electrical system showing magnet orientation;

FIGS. 28 a, 28 b and 28 c are diagrams of transformers incorporatingmagnets at their terminals;

FIG. 29 is a diagram of an electrical power grid incorporating magnetsat various locations in the system; and

FIG. 30 is a diagram of an electromagnet having a magnetic fielddisposed along a signal conductor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The making and using of the presently preferred embodiments arediscussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that thepresent invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that canbe embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to makeand use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention.

The present invention will be described with respect to preferredembodiments in a specific context, primarily the utilization of magnetsto improve signal quality transmission in audio-video systems. Theinvention may also be applied, however, to other systems, such ascomputer systems, power transmission systems, automobile and othervehicular electrical systems, and the like.

Improving signal (audio, video, power, and the like) quality byminimizing signal degradation in a conductive signal transmission mediumsuch as a cable may include such different approaches changing thecomposition of the conductors, the number of conductors, thecross-section of the conductors, the winding/braiding of the conductors,as well as the types of connectors and methods of mating connectors.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a Radio Corporation of America(RCA) male connector 100 with the active signal pin 102 comprising apermanent magnet. In this embodiment, the magnet is oriented to have itsnorth pole at the tip of the connector, while its south pole is orientedtoward the cable end of the connector. In other embodiments, the polesof the magnet may be reversed so that the south pole is at the tip ofthe data signal pin on the connector, and the north pole is orientedtoward the cable end of the connector. The connector also comprises aground contact or ring 104, and insulator 106 disposed between theactive signal pin 102 and the ground ring 104. Insulator 106 maycomprise a plastic, ceramic, or other type of insulating material.Connector 100 also may comprise a jacket surrounding ground contact 104.The jacket may comprise metal, plastic, or other type of protectivematerial. Connector 100 may be provided standalone, or, as shown, may beattached to cable 108. Active signal pin 102 is connected to activesignal wire 110 in cable 108, and ground ring 104 is connected to groundwire 112 in cable 108.

In an experiment utilizing an RCA cable with one connector 100 at eachend of the cable, nickel and gold plated neodymium magnets were used forthe active signal pin in the RCA connectors. Upon inserting the cableinto an audio system, there was a noted performance enhancement thatprovided the listener with increased musical detail and clarity, whencompared with a using an RCA cable with standard RCA connectors havingnon-ferromagnetic, non-magnetized pins made of, e.g., copper, silver orbrass. Potential benefits of using a permanent magnet in the circuitpath with active (data or power) signal contacts such as pins andsockets may include improved signal to noise ratio, lower total harmonicdistortion, lower intermodular distortion, an increase in low-levelresolution, lower losses in the cabling, lower resistance in theconnections, and a potential increase in energy efficiency, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates an RCA female connector 120 with the active signalsocket 122 comprising a permanent magnet. In this embodiment, the magnetis oriented to have its north pole at the tip of the connector, whileits south pole is oriented toward the cable side of the connector. Inother embodiments, the poles of the magnet may be reversed so that thesouth pole is at the tip of the connector, and the north pole isoriented toward the cable side of the connector. The connector alsocomprises a ground contact, ring 124, and insulator 126 disposed betweenthe active signal socket 122 and the ground ring 124. Insulator 126 maycomprise a plastic, ceramic, or other type of insulating material.

Connector 120 may be provided standalone, or, as shown, may be attachedto cable 128. When connector 120 is mounted on a cable, it also maycomprise an insulating (e.g., plastic) jacket 134 surrounding groundring 124. In the cable application, active signal socket 122 isconnected to active signal wire 130 in cable 128, and ground ring 124 isconnected to ground wire 132 in cable 128. Alternatively, connector 120may be mounted on an electronic device for mating with a cablecomprising a male RCA connector. In this case, instead of insulatingjacket 134, connector 120 generally may comprise a mount for attachingthe connector to a panel of the electronic device. It also may compriseterminations for attaching active signal socket 122 and ground ring 124to internal wires or printed circuit board connections, e.g., withsolder.

Furthermore, a cable may comprise (per signal) two male connectors, twofemale connectors, or one or more of each. Alternatively, a connectoradaptor may comprise a male connector on one end and a female connectoron the other end, which adaptor may be connected inline with an existingcable. For any of the embodiments, either one connector or bothconnectors in a cable may comprise a permanent magnet for the activesignal contacts, such as pins and sockets. In addition to the activesignal, the ground and/or neutral connection also may utilize apermanent magnet in its signal path, in this and all other embodimentsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an audio-video system 150 and examples of cablesconnecting the various components. Any of the cables connecting thedifferent components in an audio-video system may incorporate connectorswith permanent magnets installed as active signal pins or sockets. Asdescribed in detail below, the particular type of cable and connectorsused to connect different components may be selected from a wide varietyof cables and connectors. In this embodiment, a media source device,such as digital video disc (DVD) player 152, generates both audio andvideo signals, which are output through cables 154 and 156,respectively. Cables 156 provide the video signal to television 158. Asan example, a single RCA cable may provide a composite video signal totelevision 158. As another example, three RCA cables may providecomponent video signals to television 158. Audio signals are provided toamplifier 160 via cables 154. As an example, two RCA cables may provideleft and right audio signals to amplifier 160. Amplifier 160 providesspeaker level outputs via cables 162 and 164 to speakers 166 and 168,respectively. As an example, these cables may comprise connectors thatallow connection to five-way binding posts, which allow the connectionof banana plugs, pin connectors, bare wire, or ring or spade lugterminals. For loud speaker connections, the active signal and groundgenerally are connected with separate connectors.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate examples of different connectors with permanentmagnet pins that may be used in an audio-video system. FIG. 4 shows anRCA cable 200 having two male connectors 202 and 204 with permanentmagnet pins 206 and 208, respectively. The contacts in the twoconnectors are connected to their respective counterparts via conductorsdisposed within insulating sheath 210. FIG. 5 illustrates a 1/4 inchplug 220 having a center active signal pin 222 comprising a permanentmagnet. Insulation 226 separates active signal pin 222 from ground ring224.

Comparison tests were run to determine some of the effects of usingmagnet center-pin connectors in audio signal cables. The tests wereperformed to analyze the differences in recorded output signal using thetwo different cables. The tests involved measurement of harmonicdistortion, noise, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

In particular, two analog signal cables were compared. The tested cablescontained ferromagnetic steel based conductors. The connectors on thecables were both single-ended RCA connectors. One cable included astandard non-magnet center pin in its connector, while the other cableincluded magnet center pin in its connector. Specifically, one connectorused a typical gold-plated brass/bronze center pin. The other connectorused a rare-earth magnet with gold-plating for the center pin to createa magnetized conductor.

The signal voltage for standard inter-component audio signals istypically between 0 V to 2 volts root mean square (V RMS), and generallywith negligible or little current. The frequency range is typically 20Hz to 20,000 Hz, with some systems requiring a frequency range up to50,000 Hz. The test signal was a 1,000 Hz sine wave generated with anotebook computer using a TrueRTA real time analyzer (RTA) ToneGenerator. A first test was run using a 1 kHz sine wave at −10 dB, orabout 0.2 volts amplitude. Because a standard signal voltage level isgenerally about 1 volt, this test was determined to be run at too low avoltage level to provide meaningful results based on the capabilities ofthe test setup. Accordingly, a second test was run using a 1 kHz sinewave at a more realistic −3 dB, or about 1.0 volt amplitude, whichbetter represents a typical inter-component voltage level. Forcompleteness, however, the results of both tests are provided below.

The computer generated test signal was in a digital format. The digitaltest signal was then converted to analog internally within the computerusing a linear phase reconstruction filter. The digital-to analogconverter (DAC) within the computer outputted an analog signal via a ⅛″female plug. A ⅛″ to RCA adaptor was inserted into the computer analogoutput, and the test cables were alternatively inserted into theadaptor. The analog signals were then recorded using a Tascam US-122Lrecording device. The Tascam US-122L accepted only either a ¼″ plug or abalanced/X-series, Latch, Rubber (XLR) input. Therefore, a Cardas RCAfemale-to-male XLR adaptor was used at the end of the analog test cablesto connect to the Tascam US-122L. The analog test signals were recordedat a resolution of 24 bits at a sampling rate of 96 kHz. CubaseLErecording software was used, and the recorded signals saved as wavefiles on the computer.

The results were then analyzed for total harmonic distortion (THD),total harmonic distortion+noise (THD+N), Intermodulation Distortion(IMD), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), using SpectraPLUS software. Thetwo tables below provide a summary of the results.

TABLE 1 −10 dB Amplitude Test −10 dB THD THD + N IMD SNR StandardConnector Cable Sine Computer 0.03498% 0.03610% 0.2549% 68.849 dB(Linear Phase Filter) Sine DAC 0.01813% 0.15582% 0.2553% 56.148 dB(Minimum Phase Filter) Magnet Connector Cable Sine Computer 0.03505%0.03720% 0.2559% 68.589 dB Sine DAC 0.02014% 0.15623% 0.2557% 56.124 dB

TABLE 2 −3 dB Amplitude Test −3 dB THD THD + N IMD SNR StandardConnector Cable Sine Computer 0.02181% 0.02199% 0.2554% 73.157 dB(Linear Phase Filter) Magnet Connector Cable Sine Computer 0.01798%0.01842% 0.2553% 74.694 dB

The test results appear to show a slight decrease in performance for thesignal cable using the magnet center-pin at the −10 dB signal level.There was a slight increase in both THD and noise, plus a slightdecrease in SNR. The differences were between 0.4% and 3% of the totalTHD/noise, and the SNR decreased by 0.26 dB. One potential hypothesisfor this result is that the signal cable with the magnet center-pin maybe allowing lower-level noise within the signal-generating computer tobe transmitted through to the digital recorder. That is, the thresholdfor signal transmission for the cable with the magnet connector may belower than for the cable with the standard non-magnet connector. Again,and regardless of the actual reason, the −10 dB signal level wasdetermined to be too low to provide meaningful results.

The test results show a significant improvement in performance for thesignal cable using the magnet center-pin at the −3 dB signal level.There was a decrease of approximately 20% for the THD/noise, and therewas an increase of the SNR of approximately 1.54 dB. Further, the testsshowed an absolute THD+noise reduction of approximately 20% when onlythe analog signal was changed. There generally would have been THD+noisegenerated by the signal computer and the Tascam US-122L recordingdevice. There also would be expected to be small levels of THD+noiseresulting from the adaptors, both from the computer and into therecording device. The THD+noise from these devices would have beenconsistent from one test to the other. Thus, the reduction in THD+noiseof the signal cable by itself would be expected to have been greaterthan the measured 20%.

In summary, the results generally show that the use of a ferromagneticconductor-based signal cable with a magnet center pin connectorsignificantly increases the quality of analog signal transmissioncompared to a ferromagnetic conductor-based signal cable with anon-magnet center-pin connector.

FIG. 6 illustrates the different ways in which the polarity of thepermanent magnets may be oriented in a system. In experimentalobservation, the orientation of the magnetic fields of the permanentmagnets relative to each other within a system appeared to have aneffect on signal quality. Observation has shown that in preferredembodiments, magnetic poles preferably are aligned with the direction ofsignal flow within a cable, between pairs of cables, and into and out ofa device. Any combination of two or all three of these configurationsalso enhances the effect on signal quality.

For example, a tangible and desirable effect was created when left andright cables connecting to a compact disc (CD) player had matchingmagnetic poles at the cable end. That is, when plugging a set of RCAcables into a CD player, both cables preferably have either the samenorth or south poles on the active signals entering into the cable fromthe CD player. As shown in FIG. 6, CD player 240 has the north pole ofthe permanent magnet in each left and right cable connecting to the CDplayer. While this is the preferred configuration, positive resultsstill were obtained when the polarities between cables did not match, asshown by the connection to CD player 242 in FIG. 6. In this case, thenorth pole of the left signal cable permanent magnet is connected to theCD player, while the south pole of the right signal cable permanentmagnet is connected to the CD player.

Within a cable itself, observation also showed that it is preferable tohave magnetic fields aligned with signal flow. Specifically, permanentmagnets that are installed in a cable should follow north-south,north-south, along the cable length so that the cable has a consistentmagnetic fields. As shown in FIG. 6, cable 244 preferably has a northpole of a permanent magnet at the tip of one connector, while theconnector at the other end of the cable has the south pole of itspermanent magnet at the tip. Here again, while this is the preferredmagnetic field orientation, positive results still were obtained whenthe polarities were not aligned, as illustrated by cable 246 in FIG. 6.In this embodiment, the north poles of the permanent magnets in bothconnectors are at the tip of each connector.

The same effect was observed between inputs and outputs on a device, orwould function similarly if two cables were connected to each other.That is, it is preferable to have the magnetic fields aligned from theinput to a device through to the output of the device. Specifically,permanent magnets that are installed in cables should follownorth-south, north-south from input to output of a device. As shown inFIG. 6, the cable connected to the input to device 248 has the northpole of a permanent magnet at the tip of its connector, while the cableconnected to the output of device 248 has the south pole of itspermanent magnet at the tip of its connector. Once again, while this isthe preferred magnetic field orientation, positive results still wereobtained when the polarities were not aligned, as illustrated by thecable connections to device 250 in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the northpoles of the permanent magnets in both connectors of the input andoutput cables are at the tip of each connector.

In some embodiments, the specific selection of north-south, north-southflow or south-north, south-north flow generally does not matter, butonce a given orientation is selected, it is preferable to follow thisorientation throughout a system, amongst signals traveling in the samedirection within a cable, from connector to connector in a cable, frominput to output in a device, and amongst cables carrying differentsignal components (e.g., component video). In other embodiments, e.g.,in the northern hemisphere with a north magnetic pole, it may bepreferable for the last magnetic pole introduced to be south. Thus asystem may start with a north pole at a CD player and have south at anamplifier, etc. Systems in the southern hemisphere may use the oppositeorientation.

For signals that travel in opposite directions, such as power andneutral/ground in a power connector/cable, or the positive and negativesignals for a speaker connection/cable, it is preferable to have themagnetic fields oriented in the direction of signal flow, which forthese signals is in opposite physical directions for the oppositelytraveling signals. Thus, in a speaker cable with positive and negativesignal lines, a permanent magnet on the positive signal may have itsnorth pole oriented toward the speaker, while the permanent magnet onthe negative signal may have its south pole oriented toward the speaker.Alternatively, a permanent magnet on the positive signal may have itssouth pole oriented toward the speaker, while the permanent magnet onthe negative signal may have its north pole oriented toward the speaker.The negative signal line for a speaker cable generally may be regardedas a ground line. Again, beneficial results still were obtained evenwhen orientations of the permanent magnets were not aligned in thismanner.

It also is preferable to align the magnetic fields of permanent magnetsin connectors that mate with each other. In other words, a femaleconnector having a permanent magnet and installed on an electronicdevice may have a south pole disposed at its tip, with the north poledisposed toward the circuitry in the device. In a preferred embodiment,a cable having a male connector connected to this female connectorshould then have the north pole of its permanent magnet disposed towardthe tip of the connector. This way, the magnetic field of the maleconnector is aligned with the magnetic field of the female connector.For example, a pin may comprise nickel and a socket tube may compriseneodymium. The magnets should attract as the signal goes through, andmay help to lower internal vibrations at the pin/socket interface.

Experiments were conducted on other types of connectors as well. Forexample, magnetic conductors were used for the active signal connectionsfor a low level analog signal from a phono cartridge at 0.5 voltsoutput. Signal quality was improved for these signals as well. Asanother example, video connections also were tested, in one instanceutilizing cables and connectors connecting a DVD player to a liquidcrystal display (LCD) television (TV). Enhanced picture brightness,enhanced color detail and color definition all were observed. Overallpicture quality was improved.

Experiments also were conducted in installing permanent magnets in powercables, such as by attaching them to the wire conductors beforeterminating the conductors to the spade connections in the powerconnectors. These experiments also yielded positive results when appliedto electronic devices. FIG. 7 illustrates a 120 volt AC electrical plug260 with permanent magnets installed inside the plug in the circuitpaths of the power, neutral and ground signals. In plug 260, line or hotpin 262 is connected to permanent magnet 268 in a north-southorientation. Return or neutral pin 264 and ground pin 266 are connectedto permanent magnets 270 and 272, respectively, in a south-northconfiguration, opposite to the orientation of the permanent magnet forline pin 262. In configurations where there is no separate ground line,the return line may be considered a ground line, and the return pin aground pin.

Alternatively, as with all embodiments disclosed herein, all the magnetsmay be reversed so that the poles are oriented in the oppositedirections from those shown in the figure. As another alternative, theorientations of the magnetic fields for each pin may have any othercombination of orientations, such as all being aligned with the samepoles oriented toward the tip of the plug pins. Other power relatedconnectors that may have permanent magnets installed include AC anddirect current (DC) power plugs (such standard 15 amp power cable ends),power adapter plugs, power supply DC connectors, power lugs, powerconnectors, breaker lugs, and the like.

Based on experimental observations, connectors utilizing permanentmagnets in the active signal path would enhance any electricalconnection. These include many connectors well known to those ofordinary skill in the art, including audio, video, communication, radiofrequency (RF), computer connectors and cables, and combinationsthereof. These include RCA connectors, balanced connectors, XLRconnectors, Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connectors, Syndicat desConstructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs (SCART),Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format (S/PDIF), and coaxial digitalaudio. Also included are tip ring sleeve (TRS) jacks and plugs, such as1½ inch microphone jacks and plugs, phono jacks and plugs, ¼ inch jacksand plugs, ⅛ inch headphone jacks and plugs, mini jacks and plugs, 1/16inch jacks and plugs (plugs and jacks may be mono or stereo). Speakerconnections such as 5-way binding post connections, other binding postsand adapters, spade terminals, ring terminals, banana plugs etc. alsomay be included. Many video signals, such as composite video, componentvideo, S-video, all high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) typeconnectors, and video graphics array (VGA) connectors would benefit fromutilizing permanent magnets in the active signal path.

Many computer and other electronic connections may utilize thistechnology, including all types of universal serial bus (USB)connections, all types of small computer system interface (SCSI)connections, IDC50, CN50, DB25, DH68, HD68, serial advanced technologyattachment (SATAN, external SATA (ESATA), HDI30, HPNC50, redundant arrayof inexpensive disks (RAID, DB50, DB37, integrated drive electronics(IDE), HDN60, HDCN60, FireWire, ICE3 320, digital video interface (DVI),peripheral component interconnect (PCI) industry standard architecture(ISA, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394,International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) personal computer (PC)parallel port, peripheral component interconnect express (PCI-E), microchannel architecture (MCA), Personal Computer Memory Card InternationalAssociation (PCMCIA), tip ring sleeve (TRS), Deutsches Institut fürNormung (DIN), Mini DIN, and Audio Engineering Society/EuropeanBroadcasting Union (AES/EBU).

A variety of other connectors include RF coaxial, RG-6 coax connectors,F-Type connectors, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)type plugs, TRS, 2-pin, 3-pin and 4-pin connectors, snap-in connectors,friction connectors, magnetically held connectors, DE-9, 8P8C, 4 mmplug, d-subminiature, RJ-XX connectors such as RJ-11 and RJ-45, terminalblocks, crimp on connections, connectors for resistors, transistors,diodes, capacitors, anodes, cathodes, shielded compact ribbon (SCR), andtelephone and communication cable ends (Ethernet and other networkcables). Permanent magnet clips or adaptors may be installed on batterycharger or spark plug terminals. Permanent magnet leads or contacts maybe installed in switches (e.g., for light bulb circuits) and wiretermination blocks, etc., or permanent magnet adaptors may be installedin light bulb sockets.

As can be seen, there are a vast number and variety of electricalconnections, only some of which are listed above. All of theseconnectors and connections may benefit from the magnetic principlesdescribed herein. Furthermore, multiple pin connections could beestablished using each magnetic pin not only to conduct a signal, butalso to mechanically attach connectors to each other through magneticforces. This type of physical magnetic connection also may be combinedwith a mechanical connection for added strength. For example, bindingposts, spades, bananas and other push in connectors may be replaced withpermanent magnets that attract to each other for a mechanical hold aswell as the benefit of the magnetically-enhanced electrical signaltransfer.

As discussed above with respect to 120 volt power plugs, for someconnectors and their pins and sockets, it may be more practical to placethe permanent magnet in the active signal path, but disposed back fromthe contact, e.g., pin or socket, itself due to space or othermechanical considerations. The permanent magnet may be disposed in theconnector body, or it may be disposed in a cable that is attached to theconnector. As an example, FIG. 8 illustrates a permanent magnet 282attached to the active signal pin 284 of a 1/4 inch plug. The activesignal wire in a cable may then be attached to the permanent magnet 282.Other components of connector 280 are similar to those of the connectorshown in FIG. 5. Depending on the specific application, the shape of themagnet may be a cylinder, a cube, a rectangular prism, a general prism,and the like.

In another application, permanent magnet leads may be built into orattached to capacitors, resistors, inductors, transistors, transformers,integrated circuits, and other electronic components. As an example,FIG. 9 illustrates a transistor package 290 having permanent magnetssoldered to each signal lead, collector 292, base 294 and emitter 296.The magnets may form the leads themselves, or as here, may be attachedto already-existing leads. Alternatively, the magnets may beincorporated inside the package of the component.

While not required, as with other embodiments magnetic field orientationpreferably follows signal flow. For an NPN bipolar transistor, the baseand collector pin magnets are oriented, for example, north-south, whilethe emitter pin magnet is oriented south-north. For a PNP bipolartransistor, the base and emitter pin magnets are oriented, for example,north-south, while the collector pin magnet is oriented south-north. Foran n-type field effect transistor, the gate and source pin magnets areoriented, for example, north-south, while the drain pin magnet isoriented south-north. For a p-type field effect transistor, the gate anddrain pin magnets are oriented, for example, north-south, while thesource pin magnet is oriented south-north.

Permanent magnets may be used in a similar manner with components withfewer leads, such as capacitors, resistors and inductors, or with moreleads, such as transformers and integrated circuit packages.Alternatively or in addition, the sockets (e.g., on a printed circuitboard) that accept these components may incorporate permanent magnets inthe active signal paths.

The electrical connections described herein generally use ferromagneticmaterial as part of the conductive path for an electrical signal,allowing electrical energy to flow through permanent magnets. Achievinga strong magnetic field generally is desirable, and the magneticmaterial generally should have a high magnetic permeability. A strongermagnetic field may be generated by, for example, using a magnet with alarger volume, a larger cross-section, a longer length, or a higherMaximum Energy Product, BH_(max). BH_(max) measures magnetic fieldstrength at the point of maximum energy product of a magnetic material,and is measured in MegaGauss-Oersteds (MGOe).

A wide array of materials with varying magnetic strength may be used asthe permanent magnets in the disclosed embodiments. As examples,Nd₂Fe₁₄B magnets generally have a BH_(max) in the range of about 8 to 53MGOe, Sm₁Co₅ or Sm₂Co₁₇ magnets generally have a BH_(max) in the rangeof about 14 to 32 MGOe, Alnico magnets generally have a BH_(max) in therange of about 1 to 10 MGOe, and ferrite magnets such as SrO-6(Fe₂O₃)(strontium hexaferrite) or BaO-6(Fe₂O₃) (barium hexaferrite) generallyhave a BH_(max) in the range of about 1 to 5 MGOe.

Experiments were conducted using N3x and N4x grade neodymium permanentmagnets in the active signal path. Generally, the higher the materialgrade, the stronger the magnet field of the material. Preferably, amaterial or combination of materials used has both high magnetic fieldstrength and high electrical conductivity. These parameters may betraded off for each other as well. For example, a lower conductivitymaterial may be acceptable if it has a higher magnetic field strength.Likewise, a lower magnetic field strength material may be acceptable ifit has a higher electrical conductivity.

Rare earth permanent magnets generally have relatively strong magneticfields compared to non-rare earth permanent magnets.

Rare earth elements are a family of elements with atomic numbers from 57to 71, plus 21 and 39, and specifically are lanthanum, cerium,praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium,dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, andyttrium. Rare earth magnets include rare earth elements and theiralloys, such as neodymium and neodymium-based alloys, samarium andsamarium-based alloys, praseodymium and praseodymium-based alloys,gadolinium and gadolinium-based alloys, dysprosium and dysprosium-basedalloys. Commonly used rare earth magnets include neodymium (NdFeB, orNIB) magnets and samarium cobalt (SmCo) magnets.

Sintered neodymium magnets with grades from N3x to N4x to N5x arepreferable for applications benefiting from high magnetic fieldstrength. These include N35, N40, N42, N48, N50 and N52 grades, forexample. The specific magnet used for a particular application maydepend on tradeoffs between parameters such as magnetic field strength,cost, and availability.

Another type of neodymium magnet that may be used is a bonded neodymiummagnet. While bonded materials generally are not as powerful as sinteredmaterials, bonded neodymium magnets are quite strong and would stillwork well. Sintered and bonded samarium cobalt magnets generally have ahigh Curie temperature, resist corrosion well and may be used with orwithout surface coatings, but generally are less powerful than neodymiummagnets.

Non-rare earth magnets include iron and iron-based alloys (such assteel, iron alloyed with carbon that also may comprise other elementssuch as manganese, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, nickel and tungsten),nickel and nickel-based alloys, permalloy (nickel iron alloy that alsomay comprise molybdenum), and cobalt and cobalt-based alloys.

Alnico (AlNiCo) magnets generally are less powerful than rare-earthmagnets, but typically are easily machined and can be made into manydifferent shapes, allowing for use with a wide range of connector shapesand sizes Alnico alloys typically comprise 8-12% Al, 15-26% Ni, 5-24%Co, up to 6% Cu, up to 1% Ti, with the balance being Fe.

Mu-metal is a nickel-iron alloy (approximately 75% nickel, 15% iron,plus copper and molybdenum) that has very high magnetic permeability.Mu-metal may be useful in some applications because of its high magneticpermeability and conductivity.

Ferrite magnets such as strontium ferrite and barium ferrite magnetsgenerally have the lowest magnetic field strength, and may be usable butare less preferred than the other, stronger permanent magnet materials.

Some permanent magnets may comprise materials that are more brittle,less conductive, or more corrosion resistant than desired for a givenapplication. Therefore, magnets may be plated or coated to increasephysical strength, corrosion resistance, conductivity, or anycombination thereof. Conductive metals, such as copper, nickel, gold,silver, or any combination thereof, may be used to coat permanentmagnets. Nickel benefits by being ferromagnetic. Copper and silver bothare highly conductive. Gold is both quite conductive and has highcorrosion resistance.

Magnets may be plated in layers such as combinations of the above, ornickel-nickel, copper-nickel or nickel-copper-nickel. Black nickel,zinc, aluminum and other conductive metals and metal alloys may bepossible as well.

As an example, pins utilized in various experiments were nickel platedneodymium N40 grade magnets. As nickel is less conductive than someother metals, plating alternatively or additionally with highlyconductive metals such as gold, copper, silver, and the like, mayincrease conductivity.

One embodiment coating selected from the various materials comprisesnickel for mechanical strength, copper for conductivity and smoothquality plating, and gold plating on the outside to protect againstcorrosion and further aid in conductivity. These coatings may be usedwith sintered neodymium magnet cores of N30 grade or higher, or morepreferably N40 grade or higher, or more preferably N50 grade or higher,for various applications.

Another approach to increasing physical strength and potentiallyincreasing conductivity and corrosion protection is to use a sleevesurrounding a permanent magnet, whether the permanent magnet isinstalled as a connector pin, within a connector, within a cable, orwithin an electronic device. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an example of aninner core permanent magnet 300 and an outer sleeve 302. In FIG. 10 thepermanent magnet 300 and sleeve 302 are separated from each other, andin FIG. 11 the permanent magnet is shown partially installed in sleeve302. If the permanent magnet is not installed as a connection point,then sleeve 302 may be a non-conductive material such as plastic.Preferably, sleeve 302 is a conductive material such as copper or theother conductive materials listed above. Sleeve 302 may additionally oralternatively be a ferromagnetic material such as nickel or the otherferromagnetic materials listed above. In other embodiments, thepermanent magnet may be the outer sleeve and the other material (e.g.,copper) may be the inner core.

In view of the wide variety of applications for replacing traditionalconnector pins and receptors with permanent magnets, or for inserting apermanent magnet in active signal circuit paths, it also can bebeneficial to use a permanent magnet to magnetically charge anothermaterial that is making the connection or is part of the circuit path.For example, a permanent magnet attached to the end of a small nickelpin or socket generally provides both a stronger pin or socket formechanical purposes and the benefit of an applied magnetic field. Forthis type of application, a high electrical conductivity coupled with ahigh magnetic permeability may provide synergistic benefits.

It was observed in further experimentation that using anon-permanent-magnet ferromagnetic material, such as a steel center coreconductor, further enhanced the beneficial effects of using a permanentmagnet in the active signal path. Audible and visual benefits wereobserved when using a conductor with a steel core. The ferromagneticproperties of the steel conductor cable generally allowed the magneticeffects to extend beyond the permanent magnet and perhaps effectivelyrun through the entire cable, with the steel conductor connectingpermanent magnet pins on either end of the cable.

Preferably the ferromagnetic conductor material is a hard ferroelectricmaterial, but also may be a soft ferroelectric material. A ferromagneticmaterial with high magnetic permeability or a ferromagnetic materialwith high conductivity, or both, may offer a stronger effect. Variousferromagnetic materials have different values for resistivity. By way ofexample for relative comparison, cobalt may have a resistivity in therange of about 62.4 nano-ohms per meter, nickel may have a resistivityin the range of about 69.3 nano-ohms per meter, iron may have aresistivity in the range of about 96.1 nano-ohms per meter, steel mayhave a resistivity in the range of about 150 nano-ohms per meter, andstainless steel may have a resistivity in the range of about 700nano-ohms per meter.

FIG. 12 illustrates an RCA cable 320 having a permanent magnet centerpin 322 soldered 324 to a steel core wire 326. Steel provides sufficientconductivity, although there are materials that are more magneticallypermeable and more conductive. Nickel, for example, may be utilized toincrease conductivity and magnetic permeability. Accordingly, nickel maybe a preferred material for interconnects, speaker cables and specialtypower cords based on its cost and other characteristics.

Steel core wire 326 was coated with copper and silver to increaseconductivity and corrosion resistance. Silver is a good outer coatingbecause silver oxide generally remains almost as conductive as silver.In test observations it was noted that the steel center core improvedthe sonic performance of an audio system more than the same gauge sizesilver or copper conductor. It appears that the permanent magnetconnectors were at least partially or completely magnetizing steel corewire 326, thereby enhancing the effect observed when using a permanentmagnet in conjunction with a non-ferromagnetic material in an electricalsignal path. The ferromagnetic conductor may be used in conjunction withany of the permanent magnet embodiments disclosed hereinabove.

Furthermore, printed circuit board or printed wiring board traces may bemade with ferromagnetic materials, such as nickel, cobalt or mu-metal,and may have one or more permanent magnets installed throughout theboard in order to magnetize the traces on the board. These embodimentsmay be combined with permanent magnet or ferromagnetic material leads onmounted components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors,transistors, integrated circuits, and the like. Further detail oncircuit board embodiments is provided hereinbelow.

In another area of experimentation, multiple permanent magnets in astacked configuration were utilized in place of the single magnet persignal embodiments disclosed herein. In stacking permanent magnetstogether, as the north and south poles of two magnets attract eachother, the magnetic attraction between the magnets causes them to fallinto alignment, for example as illustrated in FIG. 13, making for astack of permanent magnets that resembles a conductive rod. FIG. 13illustrates 1/4 inch plug 350 having a stacked permanent magnets 352attached to the active signal pin 354. The active signal wire in a cablemay be attached to the permanent magnet stack 352. Other components ofconnector 350 are similar to those of the connector shown in FIG. 8.

A stacked magnet configuration may benefit any electrical/electronicconnector, cable, device, and the like, such as those disclosed herein.Stacked permanent magnets, for example, appear to lower losses, increaseperformance of audio and video circuits, and increase energy transfer.Furthermore, increasing the quantity of north-south pole changes in thestack (i.e., the number of magnets in the stack) generally appears toimprove the general flow of electricity and power/data transfer overembodiments with fewer stacked magnets. The number of permanent magnetsmay be increased by adding more magnets to the stack, and the overallstack size may be kept to a reasonable size by utilizing thinnermagnets.

As an alternative to the magnet stack being connected to the connectorpin as shown in FIG. 13, a magnet stack may be used for the connectionitself. As an example, a magnet stack wrapped in a nickel sleeve servingas a pin in a connector generally would offer the benefits of stackedmagnets but as a connection. FIG. 14 illustrates sleeved stacked magnetpin 370. Permanent magnet stack 372 is contained within a copper sleeve374. In this case the sleeve is shorter than the combined length of themagnet stack, but alternatively the sleeve may be the same length as thestack or the sleeve may be longer than the stack.

A stacked magnet configuration generally offers added benefits over asingle permanent magnet of equal size and strength. As with increasingconductivity, increasing magnetic field strength, and increasingcross-section, increasing the number magnets in a stack generallyincreases performance. Generally, the larger the number of magnets in astack, the wider the cross-section, the longer the length of the stack,the higher the material conductivity, and the higher the materialmagnetic field strength or the stronger the individual magnets, thegreater the benefit.

FIG. 15 illustrates another alternative for placement of the magnetstack. Speaker cables 390 each contain a magnet stack 392 disposed inthe cable itself, instead of being disposed as a connector pin or in theconnector. One cable side 394 is attached to one end of magnet stack392, and the other cable side 396 is attached to the other end of magnetstack 392. The magnet stack may be used on the positive speaker cable,the negative speaker cable, or both. The magnet stack may be disposed ina plastic sheath as shown, or may be built into the cable wiring, andmay be disposed anywhere along the length of the cable.

FIG. 16 illustrates an interconnect cable 400 having a magnet stack 402disposed in the active signal path of the cable. The magnet stack 402 iselectrically connected to connector pins 406. In this embodiment, theground lead 404 directly connects ground rings 408, and is not connectedto any magnets. Alternatively, the ground lead may have a single magnetor magnet stack disposed in the cabling. Furthermore, in this embodimentthe pins 406 of the connectors also are permanent magnets in themselves.As with other embodiments, the poles of the magnets may be in anyorientation, but preferably are aligned so that, for example, anorth-south pole orientation of the pin on one connector leads to anorth-south pole orientation of the magnet stack, which then connects toa north-south pole orientation of the other pin. Thus, the first pin hasa north pole at its tip, while the second pin has a south pole at itstip. Insulating sheath 410 electrically insulates the wires from theenvironment. In other embodiments, the sheath also may encompass thepermanent magnet stack.

FIG. 17 a illustrates a schematic diagram of a magnet stack connection.Utilized in cabling, magnet stack 420 has the north pole of an endmagnet soldered to one cable side 422, and the south pole of the otherend magnet soldered to the other cable side 424. Such magnet stacks maybe utilized throughout a system, such as the audio-video system 430shown in FIG. 17 b. In system 426, magnet stacks 420 are shown disposedin interconnect cabling between components and in speaker cabling.

In other experiments, stacked magnet configurations were implementedwith electronic components. Electronic components include transistors,resistors, capacitors, inductors, integrated circuits, and the like.FIG. 18 illustrates a transistor 440 disposed on a printed circuit board442. Transistor 440 has a heat sink 444 attached to the transmittercase, and each of the transistor leads includes a permanent magnet stack446. The poles and magnetic fields of the magnets may be oriented asdescribed for the single permanent magnet embodiment, such that themagnets are oriented in with the signal flow. Alternatively, the magnetstacks may be built into the electronic component case or package, ormay be implemented as part of the printed circuit board to which thecomponent is attached.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a printed circuit board (PCB)implementation. PCB 462 mechanically supports and electrically connectselectronic components using conductive signal traces disposed on anon-conductive substrate. A PCB may components mounted on one or bothsides, and may comprise multiple layers of conductive traces laminatedbetween multiple dielectric substrates. The PCB generally is coated witha solder mask. Electronic components are soldered to the PCB via leadsinserted into through-holes on the board, or surface mounted toconductive pads on the surfaces of the board. The PCB dielectric may belaminated from epoxy resin prepreg. Materials used for PCB dielectricsinclude woven-glass reinforced laminates, non-woven laminates, FR-4,FR-1 through FR-6, CEM-1 through CEM-4, and the like.

A permanent magnet stack 460 disposed on PCB 462. In thisimplementation, the magnet stack 460 is in the signal path of an inputto the board 462. The magnet stack may be protected by an insulatingsheath, or may be disposed in a receptacle or housing attached (e.g.,soldered) to the board 462. The conductive traces may comprise copper,or they may comprise a ferromagnetic material, such as nickel, cobalt,mu-metal, and the like. The magnetic stack may interact with theferromagnetic traces to magnetize the traces. Alternatively, multiplemagnet stacks, a single magnet, multiple single magnets, or combinationsthereof may be implemented in different applications.

FIG. 20 illustrates another embodiment wherein stacked permanent magnets480 are used in place of a circuit trace on circuit board 482. That is,instead of two points of connection being connected with a trace, suchas trace 484, two connection points are electrically connected throughmagnet stack 480. To further boost the benefits realized by thepermanent magnets, some or all of the traces on the circuit board maycomprise a non-permanent-magnet ferromagnetic material, such as nickel,which could be coated with copper for conductivity. Alternatively, traceleads comprising ferromagnetic material on the board may be permanentmagnets themselves. Alternatively, the trace leads may be ferromagnetic,and the permanent magnets are located in either components or cablesconnected to the circuit board. Here again, other materials disclosedherein may be used for any of the respective materials. As with otherembodiments, single permanent magnets may be used in circuit boardimplementations instead of magnet stacks.

As with single permanent magnets, stacked magnets generally provide agreater benefit when used in conjunction with a non-permanent-magnetferromagnetic or high magnetic permeability conductor, such as nickel,steel, and others described hereinabove. Thus, any of the stacked magnetembodiments disclosed herein may utilize a ferromagnetic conductor forthe cable wiring. FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment in which stackedmagnets 500 are in used in the hot lead of a power cable 502. The magnetstack 500 is protected by an insulating sheath 504. Magnet stacks alsomay be implemented in the neutral and ground leads of the power cable.This embodiment further comprises steel wire coated in copper and silverfor the wiring. The steel provides a non-permanent-magnet ferromagneticmaterial to enhance the magnetic field of the stacked magnets, and thesilver/copper coating provides corrosion resistance and conductivity.

FIG. 22 illustrates another power signal embodiment. In this embodimentmagnet stack 520 comprises hundreds of thin magnets. The magnets areabout 1/32 of an inch thick, and thus a great many of them fit within asmall space. In FIG. 22, magnet stack 520 is disposed in the hot AC leadproviding power to a transformer disposed on the circuit board. Wires522 and 524 connect the magnet stack between AC power and thetransformer. The other AC leads may also comprise single magnets ormagnet stacks. In this experiment the wires were copper, but they alsocould be ferromagnetic material. In any given embodiment the stack ofmagnets may contain any number of magnets, such as two or more magnets,five or more magnets, ten or more magnets, fifty or more magnets, or onehundred or more magnets.

FIG. 23 illustrates other methods of mounting or insulating stackedmagnets. A magnet stack is disposed within heat shrink tubing 540, andis connected between the active signal output of a transformer and abridge rectifier. Another magnet stack is disposed within steel tube542, and is connected to the neutral lead on the output side of thetransformer. In this implementation, the steel tube may act as a Faradaycage to block electric fields and some electromagnetic radiation.

Alternatively, an insulation layer may be disposed between the steeltube and the magnets. The Faraday cage may be a conducting orferromagnetic material, and may be implemented as a solid or mesh ofsuch material. If a mesh is used, the holes in the mesh generally shouldbe significantly smaller than the frequency of the electromagneticradiation generated by the signal traveling through the magnet(s). TheFaraday cage may be ungrounded, grounded on one side of a cable, orgrounded on both sides of a cable. A single conductive tube may be used,or multiple (e.g., two, three, four) concentric tubes may be used.

A Faraday cage may be used with other single or stacked magnetembodiments disclosed herein, and may be particularly effective foralternating current or fast-changing signal applications. For example, aFaraday cage may be used for the outer ground of an RCA connector. Asanother alternative, an insulating tube made of, e.g., plastic, acrylic,plexiglass, a flexible laminate or other dielectric material may bedisposed on the outside of the Faraday cage.

FIGS. 24 a and 24 b illustrate a binding post screw 560 and associatedbinding post receptacle 566, which may be used, for example, withspeaker cable connections. In this embodiment, cylinder magnet 562,which may comprise any of the magnetic materials disclosed herein, isfitted with a threaded steel pin 564. Alternatively, the pin maycomprise other metals such as nickel, copper, and the like. The steelpin 564 may be, for example, compression fit into the magnet 562, it maybe glued into magnet 562, or both.

Similarly, binding post receptacle 566 has a cylinder magnet 568, butwith a threaded female steel insert 570 for mating with the pin 564 ofbinding post screw 560. As with pin 564, insert 570 may comprise othermetals such as nickel, copper, and the like. The steel insert 570 maybe, for example, compression fit into the magnet 568, it may be gluedinto magnet 568, or both. The north-south poles of the magnets areoriented so that they align with each other when the binding post screw560 is inserted into the binding post receptacle 566. The poles of themagnets may be reversed from that shown in the figures. Furthermore,stacked magnets may be used for the cylinder magnets 562 and 568 ofFIGS. 24 a and 24 b. As with other embodiments described herein, themagnets disposed in the signal path generally improve the quality of thesignal transmission.

In an alternative embodiment, FIGS. 25 a and 25 b illustrate a bindingpost screw 580 in which the permanent magnet is contained within anouter shell. FIG. 25 a shows a lengthwise cross section of screw 580,and FIG. 25 b shows an axial cross-section of screw 580. In thisembodiment, screw 180 has a threaded pin 586 inserted into cylindricalmagnet 584, which itself is embedded within an outer metal shell 582.The materials for pin 586 and magnet 584 may be the same as thosedescribed for the embodiment of FIG. 24 a. Stacked magnets may be usedfor permanent magnet 584. The outer metal shell may comprise aferromagnetic material such as steel or nickel, or those materialslisted in other embodiments disclosed herein.

FIGS. 26 a and 26 b illustrate another connector embodiment in which theconnectors comprise permanent magnets for electrical and physicalconnection. Male connector 600 shown in FIG. 26 a includes active signalcenter pin 602. Center pin 602 comprises a permanent magnet made of anycombination of materials described in other embodiments disclosedherein. Surrounding center pin 602 is an insulator 604, which maycomprise any combination of materials described in other embodimentsdisclosed herein. Center pin 602 may be spring loaded with an internalspring disposed within the connector along side and/or behind the pin.The pin may be movable against the force of the spring inward toward themain body of connector 600. Alternatively, the spring may provide aforce against the pin moving outward from the connector body so as toprovide a resistance to the magnetic attraction between the magnets fromslamming the magnets together with excessive force. In this case, thespring may alternatively be mounted on the external face of either ofthe connectors. As another alternative, the pin may be hard mountedflush or extended slightly beyond insulator 604.

Surrounding insulator 604 is a first cylindrical conductor 606. Invarious embodiments this conductor may comprise a ferromagnetic materialsuch as steel, nickel, and the like, or a non-ferromagnetic materialsuch as copper, brass, and the like, or a permanent magnet material suchas neodymium, alnico, and the like. In some embodiments conductor 606may provide a ground signal, or it may act as a Faraday cage, or both.In other embodiments conductor 606 may provide a second active signal inaddition to the one carried by center pin 602.

The remaining components of the connector are optional and may beincluded or not in different embodiments. Surrounding conductor 606 isanother insulator 608, and around insulator 608 is a second cylindricalconductor 610. In various embodiments this conductor may comprise aferromagnetic material such as steel, nickel, and the like, or anon-ferromagnetic material such as copper, brass, and the like, or apermanent magnet material such as neodymium, alnico, and the like. Insome embodiments conductor 610 may provide a ground signal, or it mayact as a Faraday cage, or both. As with other embodiments disclosedherein, multiple stacked permanent magnets may be used for the permanentmagnets in connector 600. Lastly, surrounding conductor 610 is anotherinsulating layer 612. Cable 614 contains wires connected to theconductors in connector 600 for carrying signals between electricaldevices.

Female connector 620 shown in FIG. 26 b may be mounted on an electricaldevice. Female connector may be flush mounted to the device, or it maybe mounted extended beyond or retracted within the device. Similar tothe male connector, female connector 620 includes active signal centerpin 622. Center pin 622 comprises a permanent magnet made of anycombination of materials described in other embodiments disclosedherein. Surrounding center pin 622 is an insulator 624, which maycomprise any combination of materials described in other embodimentsdisclosed herein. Center pin 622 may be hard mounted flush or extendedslightly beyond or behind insulator 624. Alternatively, the pin may bespring loaded with an internal spring disposed within the connectoralong side and/or behind the pin. The pin may be movable against theforce of the spring inward toward the main body of connector 620.

Surrounding insulator 624 is a first cylindrical conductor 626. Invarious embodiments this conductor may comprise a ferromagnetic materialsuch as steel, nickel, and the like, or a non-ferromagnetic materialsuch as copper, brass, and the like, or a permanent magnet material suchas neodymium, alnico, and the like. In some embodiments conductor 626may provide a ground signal, or it may act as a Faraday cage, or both.In other embodiments conductor 626 may provide a second active signal inaddition to the one carried by center pin 622.

The remaining components of the connector are optional and may beincluded or not in different embodiments. Surrounding conductor 626 isanother insulator 628, and around insulator 628 is a second cylindricalconductor 630. In various embodiments this conductor may comprise aferromagnetic material such as steel, nickel, and the like, or anon-ferromagnetic material such as copper, brass, and the like, or apermanent magnet material such as neodymium, alnico, and the like. Insome embodiments conductor 630 may provide a ground signal, or it mayact as a Faraday cage, or both. As with other embodiments disclosedherein, multiple stacked permanent magnets may be used for the permanentmagnets in connector 600. Lastly, surrounding conductor 630 is anotherinsulating layer 632. Cable 634 contains wires connected to theconductors in connector 600 for carrying signals within an electricaldevice.

Male connector 600 may connect to female connector 620 simply by placingthe male connector aligned with and adjacent to the female connector.The magnetic attraction between corresponding magnets in the connectorswill physically draw the connectors together in proper alignment.Accordingly, the poles of the corresponding magnets generally should beoriented so that they attract each other. For example, the maleconnector may have its center pin north pole at the end of theconnector, and the female connector may have its center pin south poleat the end of the connector. Likewise, if other magnets are used forother conductors in the connectors, their poles should be aligned aswell. For example, if the male connector cylindrical conductor 606 is apermanent magnet and has its south pole at the end of the connector,then the female connector conductor 626 may be a permanent magnet havingits north pole at the end of the connector.

Furthermore, if two connectors are paired on an electrical device, suchas two connectors for the signal and return to a speaker, then theconnectors may have opposite permanent magnet orientation to assist inproper connection of cables to the device. That is, a first femaleconnector may have a center pin south pole disposed at the end of theconnector, while a second female connector may have a center pin northpole disposed at the end of the connector. Likewise, two cables may haveconnectors with center pins having opposite poles disposed at the end ofthe connectors. Because of the magnetic attraction of opposite poles,and the repulsion of like poles, the cables and their connectorsgenerally may only connect to the device in one way. That is, the cableconnector with the north pole at its center pin tip may only connect tothe device connector with the south pole at its center pin tip, and thecable connector with the south pole at its center pin tip may onlyconnect to the device connector with the north pole at its center pintip. As an alternative, only one of the two connectors 600 and 620 maycomprise one or more magnets, and the other connector may compriseferromagnetic material in place of its magnet(s).

FIG. 27 illustrates an electrical system showing the coordinatedorientation of magnets placed throughout the system. In this example,the permanent magnets are oriented such that the north pole of themagnets generally faces the source of that signal, and the south polefaces downstream from the signal source. In general, high-voltage multi(e.g., single, two or three) phase power is supplied from the power gridvia transmission lines 650. As explained in more detail below, permanentmagnets may be disposed in-line at various points of the power grid, forexample at transmission line towers, telephone poles, undergroundjunction boxes, and the like. The permanent magnets may have the sameorientation on the multiple phases, as shown by the N/S arrow next tothe three high voltage lines 650.

The high voltage lines feed into a step-down transformer 652, which isconnected to ground 654 and drops the high voltage down to standard120V/240V power on power signal lines 656 and neutral line 658.Permanent magnets may be disposed at the inputs and outputs of step-downtransformer 652. The permanent magnets follow the orientation of thesignal flow in a given cable or interface, with active signals flowingin one direction and the associated ground or neutral signals flowing inthe opposite direction. For example, permanent magnets in active signal(hot) leads 656 have north/south orientations, and in the neutral line658 have a south/north orientation, as shown in FIG. 27. These linesfeed into breaker box 660, which is disposed, for example, at aresidential or commercial location. Breaker box 660 also may beconnected to ground 662 and may have permanent magnets installed in theinput and output signal paths, again with the active signal leads 656and 664 and ground 662 permanent magnets having north/southorientations, and the neutral lines 658 and 668 and ground 666 permanentmagnets having south/north orientations.

Power lines comprising active power signal 664, neutral line 668 andground line 666 run from the breaker box 660 to wall outlet 670. Walloutlet also may have permanent magnets disposed in the signal paths withorientations shown in FIG. 27. A power cable 672 may be plugged intowall outlet 670, and have permanent magnets disposed in its connectors674 and 676, similar to those shown in FIG. 7. An audio-video systemcomprises components 152, 158, 160, 166 and 168, as shown in FIG. 3, andmay receive power from power cable 672. The components that receivepower may have permanent magnets disposed at their power connectorscorresponding to those in power cable 672 connector 676, similar to thatof with wall outlet 670.

Permanent magnets utilized with the data signals transferred between thecomponents of the audio-video system also follow the magneticorientation of the power signals. Speaker cables 162 and 164 havemagnets installed in their connectors such that each active signal beingtransmitted to each speaker has a north/south orientation, and theneutral signals being sent back have south/north orientations, withrespect to amplifier 160. In data cables transmitting signals betweensource component 152 and monitor 158, and between source component 152and amplifier 160, permanent magnets again follow the orientationconvention of the rest of the system. That is, in cables 154 and 156,the magnetic north pole of the magnets in the active signal path facesthe source component output, while the magnetic north pole of themagnets in the neutral/ground signal path faces the destinationcomponent input (monitor 158 and amplifier 160).

As an alternative, stacked magnets may be used for one or more or all ofthe magnets described in FIG. 27. As another alternative, all of themagnet orientations may be reversed from that described above for FIG.27. Generally, in some embodiments, it may be beneficial to utilize theorientation shown in FIG. 27 in the northern hemisphere, while theopposite orientation may be used for all the magnets in the southernhemisphere. As another alternative, the permanent magnets may bedisposed in any orientation relative to each other (e.g.,north/south-south/north, north/south-north/south,south/north-south/north, south/north-north/south). In some embodiments,only some of the magnets described in FIG. 27 are present in specificsystems.

Further application to low and high voltage power lines is illustratedin FIGS. 28 and 29. High voltage power energy transfer for private andpublic use is done through above ground or underground high voltage ACor DC transmission wires. AC power may be single-phase, two-phase orthree-phase. Voltages generally are stepped up at power sources withtransformers, the power is transmitted at high voltage, and then thevoltages are stepped down with transformers for use at electricity usersites, such as industrial sites, commercial sites, residential sites,and the like.

Large permanent magnets installed in the power circuit paths of powerlines generally will improve energy transfer and efficiency. As withother embodiments disclosed herein, single or stacked permanent magnetsmay be installed in devices, in connectors, or in-line with cablewiring. For example, permanent magnets may be installed at the inputsand/or outputs of the step-up and step-down transformers. FIGS. 28 a, 28b and 28 c illustrate different transformers incorporating permanentmagnets at their terminals. Single-phase transformer 700 has a primarywinding 702 and a secondary winding 704 that are inductively coupled toeach other through a ferromagnetic core, an air core, or the like. Theratio of the turns in each winding determines the relative voltagegenerated in the secondary winding. For example, in a step-uptransformer, the secondary winding has more turns than the primarywinding, and the output voltage at the secondary winding is greater thanthe input voltage at the primary winding. On the other hand, in astep-down transformer, the secondary winding has less turns than theprimary winding, and the output voltage at the secondary winding islower than the input voltage at the primary winding. For all of thetransformers disclosed herein, the wires in the primary and secondarywindings may comprise a ferromagnetic material, such as nickel, steel,and the like.

Transformer 700 comprises permanent magnets 706 and 708 disposed in theinput signal path at its input terminals, and permanent magnets 710 and712 disposed in the output signal path at its output terminals. Thepermanent magnets may be single magnets or stacked magnets, and maycomprise any of the magnet materials disclosed in other embodimentshereinabove. As an alternative, the orientations of the magnets may bereversed from that shown in FIG. 28 a. Three such transformers may beused to step up or step down three-phase power.

Transformers 714 and 732 shown in FIGS. 28 b and 28 c, respectively, arethree-phase transformers useful in stepping up or stepping downthree-phase power. Transformer 714 is structured in a delta-deltaconfiguration, and transformer 732 is structured in a wye-wyeconfiguration. A three phase transformer also may be structured in awye-delta configuration or a delta-wye configuration. Transformer 714has three primary windings 716, and three secondary windings 718.Transformer 714 has three inputs, input A 720, input B 722, and input C724, as well as three corresponding outputs, output A 726, output B 728,and output C 730. Transformer 714 comprises permanent magnets at each ofits inputs in the input signal path and at each of its outputs in theoutput signal path. The permanent magnets may be single magnets orstacked magnets, and may comprise any of the magnet materials disclosedin other embodiments hereinabove. As an alternative, the orientations ofthe magnets may be reversed from that shown in FIG. 28 b, or disposed inany orientation relative to each other (e.g., north/south-south/north,north/south-north/south, south/north-south/north,south/north-north/south).

Transformer 732 has three primary windings 734, and three secondarywindings 736. Transformer 732 has three power inputs, input A 738, inputB 740 and input C 742, and neutral input 750, as well as threecorresponding power outputs, output A 744, output B 746 and output C748, and neutral output 752. Transformer 732 comprises permanent magnetsat each of its inputs in the input signal path and at each of itsoutputs in the output signal path. The permanent magnets may be singlemagnets or stacked magnets, and may comprise any of the magnet materialsdisclosed in other embodiments hereinabove. As an alternative, and aswith any embodiment disclosed herein, the orientations of the magnetsmay be reversed from that shown, or disposed in any orientation relativeto each other (e.g., north/south-south/north, north/south-north/south,south/north-south/north, south/north-north/south).

Furthermore, additional benefits may be obtained using permanent magnetsin conjunction with ferromagnetic conductor wire to increase the effectof the magnetic fields. Utilizing permanent magnets or electromagnets tocharge ferromagnetic wire with magnetic energy generally would bebeneficial to energy efficiency and the accuracy of data transfer. Inparticular, a ferromagnetic material, such as nickel, steel, or othersdisclosed herein, may be used as conductors in power transmission lines.Charging a ferromagnetic center core conductor with single or stackedpermanent magnets generally would offer advantages to energy transfer,based on observations in power supplies, power conditioners and powercabling products. FIG. 29 illustrates a high level view of an electricalpower grid incorporating permanent magnets and ferromagnetic conductorsat various locations in the system. Generating station 760 may be a coalpower plant, a nuclear power plant, a hydroelectric power plant, and thelike. Generating station 760 produces electrical power for the powergrid from energy sources such as coal, nuclear, and dammed water.

The electrical power is sent to a step-up transformer 768 via powerlines 762. Power lines 762 may comprise ferromagnetic conductors andhave permanent magnets 764, 766 disposed in line with the ferromagneticconductors. Alternatively, the conductors may be non-ferromagnetic.Permanent magnets 764 may be disposed at the output of the generatingstation, and permanent magnets 766 may be disposed at the input of thestep-up transformer 768. Alternatively, permanent magnets may bedisposed elsewhere in-line with the conductors.

Step-up transformer 768 steps up the voltage on power lines 762 tothree-phase high voltage for long distance transmission via high powertransmission lines and transmission towers 770. The high voltage, whichmay be 110 kV and higher (e.g., 138 kV, 230 kV, 345 kV, 500 kV, and 765kV), transmits over long distances with less energy loss than lowervoltage power. The transmission lines and transmission towers 770transmit power to local areas that will use the power, at which pointthe high voltage is stepped down to a lower voltage by step-downtransformer 780. The conductors carrying the energy between thetransformers may comprise a ferromagnetic material such as steel ornickel. The step-up transformer 768 may have permanent magnets 772disposed in-line at its outputs to the high voltage transmission lines,and the step-down transformer 780 may have permanent magnets 778disposed in-line at its inputs from the high voltage transmission lines.Likewise, permanent magnets may be disposed periodically throughout thetransmission lines, such as permanent magnets 774 and 776 disposedin-line with the conductors at transmission towers 770.

Step-down transformer 780 steps down the three-phase high voltage to athree-phase low voltage, such as 4 kV, 13 kV, 26 kV, 50 kV or 69 kV fortransmission over shorter distances. The conductors between step-downtransformer 780 and subsequent entities or customers may compriseferromagnetic material such as steel or nickel. Alternatively, theconductors may be non-ferromagnetic. Industrial, government and othersubtransmission customers 784 and primary customers 788 may receivepower directly from the stepped-down output of the step-down transformer780. These entities also may provide power back to the power grid basedon power demand and excess capacity.

The step-down transformer 780 may have permanent magnets 782 disposedin-line at its outputs to the low voltage lines, and subtransmissioncustomers 784 and primary customers 788 may have permanent magnets 786and 790 disposed in-line at their inputs from the low voltage lines. Aswith the high voltage lines, permanent magnets may be disposedperiodically throughout the low voltage transmission lines, such asin-line with the conductors at low voltage utility poles or towers.

Another transformer 792 converts the low voltage from the step-downtransformer 780 to single-phase household voltages such as 110V/220V (or117V/134V, or 120V/240V) for use by industrial, commercial, andresidential secondary customers 796. Again, the conductors in the singlephase power lines may comprise ferromagnetic materials such as steelnickel, and the like. Transformer 792 may have permanent magnets 798disposed in-line at its outputs to the single phase power lines, andsecondary customers 788 may have permanent magnets 800 disposed in-lineat their inputs from the household voltage lines. As with the highervoltage lines, permanent magnets may be disposed periodically throughoutthe household lines and in the equipment and devices connected to suchlines, as shown hereinabove in FIG. 27. Any of the magnets shown in FIG.29 may be implemented as single magnets or stacked magnets.

In alternative implementations, electromagnets may be substituted inplace of the permanent magnets used in the embodiments disclosed herein.For example, FIG. 30 depicts electromagnet 820 comprising a wire coil822, power source 824, and switch 826. Wire coil may comprise aconductive wire encased within an insulating sheath. The wire materialmay comprise copper, aluminum, silver, gold, etc., and combinationsthereof.

Electromagnet 820 may be turned on and off by closing or opening switch826. Switch 826 may be any type of switch with sufficient capacity tocarry the current used to power the electromagnet for a givenapplication. As examples, switch 826 may be a mechanical switch, and maybe driven by a relay, or it may be a solid state switch such as atransistor driven by a controller for the electromagnet. When switch 826is closed, current is provided to wire coil 822 by power source 824.Depending on the application, power source 824 may be a battery, a powersupply, a rectifier, an AC-DC converter, and the like. The currentflowing through wire coil 822 generates a magnetic field around thewire, a concentrated portion of which is located through the middle ofthe coil.

As stated above, electromagnet 820 may be implemented in place of thepermanent magnet embodiments disclosed herein. Generally, because of theadded cost, bulk and power requirements, electromagnets may be preferredin applications where the benefits of the electromagnets compensate forthe additional requirements. For example, electromagnets may be used inplace of the permanent magnets in power transmission lines of FIG. 29,in conjunction with the transformers of FIG. 28, or in conjunction withthe power signals shown in FIG. 27.

Specifically, electromagnet 820 may be implemented between a signalsource 828 and a signal destination 830. Signal source outputs a signalon conductor 832, and signal destination 830 received the signal onconductor 834. Conductor 836 electrically connects conductor 832 andconductor 836. In some embodiments, all three conductors are the samematerial, and may be the same wire or cable. The wire material maycomprise a non-ferromagnetic material, such as copper, aluminum, silver,gold, etc., and combinations thereof.

In other embodiments, conductor 836 is a different material. Forexample, conductors 832 and 836 may be a non-ferromagnetic material suchas copper, while conductor 834 may be a ferromagnetic material such asiron, steel, nickel, cobalt, and the like. A ferromagnetic materialfocuses the magnetic field of wire coil 822, further enhancing themagnetic effect on the signal in conductor 834. Conductors 832 and 834may comprise a ferromagnetic material as well. In any of theembodiments, any remaining space within the wire core may be aninsulator such as ambient gas, air, wire sheathing, a solid dielectricmaterial, and the like.

As another application, one or more single or stacked permanent magnetsmay be used in lightning or other grounding rod embodiments. In alightning rod system, a metal rod generally is installed at a relativelyhigh point on a structure, and is connected to earth ground through aconductor. The permanent magnet structure may be used at any locationthrough the system, such as at the lightning rod, in one or more placesalong the conductor, at the ground connection or rod, and anycombination thereof. If there are multiple magnet structures, they mayhave any orientation for the magnetic fields, but preferably are alignedso that they are all north-south, north-south, or south-north,south-north, from the lightning rod to the ground connection.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed, that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized according to the present invention.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps.

1. An electrical cable comprising: an elongated insulating sheath; afirst active signal electrical conductor disposed within the sheath; afirst connector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath;a first active signal contact mechanically attached to the firstconnector body, and electrically connected to the first active signalelectrical conductor; a first permanent magnet electrically connected inseries with the first active signal electrical conductor; a first groundcontact mechanically attached to the first connector body; and aninsulator mechanically separating and electrically isolating the firstactive signal contact and the first ground contact.
 2. The electricalcable of claim 1, wherein the first permanent magnet comprises amaterial selected from the group consisting of: nickel, neodymium,samarium, mu-metal, cobalt, and combinations thereof.
 3. The electricalcable of claim 1, wherein the first active signal electrical conductorcomprises a non-permanent-magnet ferromagnetic material.
 4. Theelectrical cable of claim 1, further comprising an electricallyconductive sleeve disposed around at least a portion of the firstpermanent magnet.
 5. The electrical cable of claim 1, furthercomprising: a second connector body mechanically attached to a secondend of the sheath; and a second active signal contact mechanicallyattached to the second connector body, and electrically connected to thefirst active signal electrical conductor.
 6. The electrical cable ofclaim 5, wherein the first permanent magnet is at least partiallydisposed in the first connector body, and wherein the electrical cablefurther comprises a second permanent magnet electrically connected inseries with the first active signal electrical conductor, and at leastpartially disposed in the second connector body.
 7. The electrical cableof claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the second permanent magnet ispart of the second active signal contact.
 8. The electrical cable ofclaim 6, wherein the second permanent magnet comprises a materialselected from the group consisting of: nickel, neodymium, samarium,mu-metal, cobalt, and combinations thereof.
 9. The electrical cable ofclaim 6, further comprising a second electrically conductive sleevedisposed around at least a portion of the second permanent magnet. 10.The electrical cable of claim 6, wherein the second permanent magnetcomprises a second plurality of stacked permanent magnets.
 11. Theelectrical cable of claim 10, further comprising a second Faraday cagedisposed around the second plurality of stacked permanent magnets. 12.The electrical cable of claim 6, wherein the second permanent magnetcomprises a second material, and further comprises a coating of secondconductive metal different from the second material.
 13. The electricalcable of claim 6, wherein a first north-south pole orientation of thefirst permanent magnet is in a same direction as a second north-southpole orientation of the second permanent magnet, relative to signal flowthrough the first active signal electrical conductor.
 14. The electricalcable of claim 5, further comprising: a second ground contactmechanically attached to the second connector body; a second insulatormechanically separating and electrically isolating the second activesignal contact and the second ground contact; and a ground conductorelectrically connecting the second ground contact to the first groundcontact.
 15. The electrical cable of claim 1, wherein the firstpermanent magnet comprises a plurality of stacked permanent magnets. 16.The electrical cable of claim 15, further comprising a Faraday cagedisposed around the plurality of stacked permanent magnets.
 17. Theelectrical cable of claim 1, wherein the first permanent magnetcomprises a first material, and further comprises a coating ofconductive metal different from the first material.
 18. The electricalcable of claim 1, wherein the first active signal contact is a pin. 19.The electrical cable of claim 1, wherein the first active signal contactis a socket.
 20. A method of forming an electrical cable, the methodcomprising: disposing a first active signal electrical conductor in anelongated insulating sheath; attaching a first active signal contact toa first connector body; attaching the first connector body to a firstend of the sheath; electrically connecting the first active signalcontact to the first active signal electrical conductor; attaching asecond active signal contact to a second connector body; attaching thesecond connector body to a second end of the sheath; electricallyconnecting the second active signal contact to the first active signalelectrical conductor; and electrically connecting a first permanentmagnet in series with the first active signal electrical conductor. 21.The method of claim 20, wherein the first permanent magnet comprises aplurality of stacked permanent magnets.
 22. The method of claim 21,further comprising a Faraday cage disposed around the plurality ofstacked permanent magnets.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the firstpermanent magnet comprises a material selected from the group consistingof: nickel, neodymium, samarium, mu-metal, cobalt, and combinationsthereof.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the first active signalelectrical conductor comprises a non-permanent-magnet ferromagneticmaterial.
 25. The method of claim 20, further comprising disposing anelectrically conductive sleeve disposed around at least a portion of thefirst permanent magnet.
 26. The method of claim 20, further comprising:disposing the first permanent magnet is at least partially in the firstconnector body; at least partially disposing a second permanent magnetin the second connector body; and electrically connecting the secondpermanent magnet in series with the first active signal electricalconductor.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising orienting afirst north-south pole orientation of the first permanent magnet in asame direction as a second north-south pole orientation of the secondpermanent magnet, relative to signal flow through the first activesignal electrical conductor.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein atleast a portion of the second permanent magnet is part of the secondactive signal contact.
 29. The method of claim 26, wherein the secondpermanent magnet comprises a material selected from the group consistingof: nickel, neodymium, samarium, mu-metal, cobalt, and combinationsthereof.
 30. The method of claim 26, further comprising disposing asecond electrically conductive sleeve around at least a portion of thesecond permanent magnet.
 31. The method of claim 26, wherein the secondpermanent magnet comprises a second plurality of stacked permanentmagnets.
 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising disposing asecond Faraday cage around the second plurality of stacked permanentmagnets.
 33. The method of claim 26, wherein the second permanent magnetcomprises a second material, and further comprises a coating of secondconductive metal different from the second material.
 34. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the first permanent magnet comprises a first material,and further comprises a coating of conductive metal different from thefirst material.
 35. The method of claim 20, further comprising:attaching a first ground contact to the first connector body; andmechanically separating and electrically isolating the first activesignal contact and the first ground contact with an insulator.
 36. Themethod of claim 20, wherein the first and second active signal contactsare pins.
 37. The method of claim 20, wherein the first and secondactive signal contacts are sockets.
 38. An electrical cable comprising:an elongated insulating sheath; a first active signal electricalconductor disposed within the sheath; a first connector bodymechanically attached to a first end of the sheath; a first activesignal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, andelectrically connected to the first active signal electrical conductor;a first permanent magnet electrically connected in series with the firstactive signal electrical conductor; and an electrically conductivesleeve surrounding an exterior of the first permanent magnet.
 39. Anelectrical cable comprising: an elongated insulating sheath; a firstactive signal electrical conductor disposed within the sheath; a firstconnector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath; afirst active signal contact mechanically attached to the first connectorbody, and electrically connected to the first active signal electricalconductor; and a first permanent magnet electrically connected in serieswith the first active signal electrical conductor, wherein the firstpermanent magnet comprises a first material, and further comprises acoating of conductive metal different from the first material.
 40. Anelectrical cable comprising: an elongated insulating sheath; a firstactive signal electrical conductor disposed within the sheath; a firstconnector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath; afirst active signal contact mechanically attached to the first connectorbody, and electrically connected to the first active signal electricalconductor; a plurality of stacked permanent magnets electricallyconnected in series with the first active signal electrical conductor;and a Faraday cage surrounding an exterior of the plurality of stackedpermanent magnets.
 41. The electrical cable of claim 40, furthercomprising: a second connector body mechanically attached to a secondend of the sheath; and a second active signal contact mechanicallyattached to the second connector body, and electrically connected to thefirst active signal electrical conductor.
 42. The electrical cable ofclaim 41, wherein the first permanent magnet is at least partiallydisposed in the first connector body, and wherein the electrical cablefurther comprises a second plurality of stacked permanent magnetselectrically connected in series with the first active signal electricalconductor, and at least partially disposed in the second connector body.43. The electrical cable of claim 42, further comprising a secondFaraday cage surrounding an exterior of the second plurality of stackedpermanent magnets.
 44. An electrical cable comprising: an elongatedinsulating sheath; a first active signal electrical conductor disposedwithin the sheath; a first connector body mechanically attached to afirst end of the sheath; a first active signal contact mechanicallyattached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to thefirst active signal electrical conductor; a first permanent magnetelectrically connected in series with the first active signal electricalconductor, and at least partially disposed in the first connector body;a second connector body mechanically attached to a second end of thesheath; a second active signal contact mechanically attached to thesecond connector body, and electrically connected to the first activesignal electrical conductor; and a second permanent magnet electricallyconnected in series with the first active signal electrical conductor,and at least partially disposed in the second connector body, wherein afirst north-south pole orientation of the first permanent magnet is in asame direction as a second north-south pole orientation of the secondpermanent magnet, relative to signal flow through the first activesignal electrical conductor.
 45. The electrical cable of claim 44,wherein the first and second permanent magnets each comprise a materialselected from the group consisting of: nickel, neodymium, samarium,mu-metal, cobalt, and combinations thereof.
 46. The electrical cable ofclaim 45, wherein the first active signal electrical conductor comprisesa non-permanent-magnet ferromagnetic material.
 47. The electrical cableof claim 44, wherein the first permanent magnet comprises a firstplurality of stacked permanent magnets, and wherein the second permanentmagnet comprises a second plurality of stacked permanent magnets. 48.The electrical cable of claim 47, further comprising: a first Faradaycage disposed around the first plurality of stacked permanent magnets;and a second Faraday cage disposed around the second plurality ofstacked permanent magnets.